Moses’ remarkable life reminds us that even the most imperfect among us can have profound encounters with God. In this blog post we look at the passage in Exodus 3 – the story of Moses and the Burning Bush – and explore the idea that God is intricately involved in every aspect of our lives, including our work and daily experiences. Moses’ experience shows us we don’t need a retreat, a quiet day, or a special event like Spring Harvest or New Wine for God to speak to us. He can meet us in the everyday, shaping our greater purpose. It’s a powerful reminder that God can meet us right where we are, in the midst of our ordinary routines.

Exodus 3: 1-6

¹ Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. ² There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. ³ So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”

⁴ When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

And Moses said, “Here I am.”

⁵ “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” ⁶ Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

God Meets Us in Our Day-to-Day: One of the most important lessons from Moses’ encounter with God is that divine moments can happen in unexpected places. A friend’s Holy Spirit experience during a work conference serves as a powerful example. She felt God’s presence in a meeting, shaking and trembling, something she’d never experienced before in a professional setting. This might have seemed embarrassing and confusing at the time, but it confirmed that God is present in our work, our daily lives, and everywhere else. God doesn’t wait for a “Christian” gathering to move; He is active in our daily routines. You never know how your faith and experiences can impact others around you.

Your Day-to-Day Relates to Your Greater Purpose: Moses, while in the wilderness, encountered God in a significant way. Sometimes, we feel like we’re in a wilderness in our own lives—times of trouble, confusion, or despair. Yet, these moments often lead to the greatest intimacy with God. Sometimes, it’s essential to recognise when we’ve reached the end of ourselves and turn to God for strength and guidance.

In Moses’ story, an ordinary bush became extraordinary when it caught fire without burning up. This serves as a reminder that our everyday lives can become extraordinary, filled with powerful moments. These moments can occur in our interactions with friends, fellow parents at the school gate, or even during routine doctor visits. God is always with us, ready to work through us in surprising ways.

Are We Ready to Hear His Call? God calls us, but He doesn’t coerce us. When He calls, it’s a matter of willingness, not force. Reflecting on my journey of setting up Fit Fish, I realised it was a calling, not coercion. It was a joyful endeavour. Interestingly, I later discovered that God had inspired others to pursue something similar just before me – they didn’t take it forward and so God moved on to me! The thought that I was not perhaps the ‘first choice’ could have been disheartening, but it taught me that God’s calling aligns with His timing, and it’s unique to each person. There’s no need for coercion when we’re following His plan.

Removing the Obstacles: Moses, upon encountering God in the burning bush, removed his shoes as a sign of reverence and readiness to draw closer. In our lives, there may be obstacles or distractions hindering us from hearing God’s call clearly. It’s worth considering what we need to “remove” to become more attuned to His voice.

Moses’ encounter with God in the wilderness teaches us that God’s presence isn’t limited to specific places or events. He can speak to us in the ordinary moments of our lives, in our work, and during unexpected encounters. Our daily routines are intertwined with our greater purpose. As we navigate life’s journey, let’s be ready to hear His call, remove the barriers that hinder us, and embrace the extraordinary within the ordinary. Take a moment to reflect on what resonates most with you from this message and spend some time in prayer and contemplation with God.

Our next Fitfish Reflection, Coffee and Conversation is happening on Saturday 18^th November at 10am. It’s free and you can register here. Bring your Bible, notepad, pen and a cuppa as one of the Fitfish team offers some thoughts to reflect on and have conversation about.